Canonical Wnt signaling regulates embryonic development and cell fate and proliferation decisions in all vertebrates. There is also a non-canonical signaling pathway that regulates planar cell polarity (PCP). Mutations in several of the proteins acting in these signaling pathways are associated with numerous epithelial cancers. Preliminary work indicates that a novel Drosophila G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) could have a role in Wnt signaling. We have also identified a genomic lesion resulting in a phenotype reassembling wingless. We propose that this GPCR and this unidentified gene represent novel Wnt signaling factors and we will determine their specific roles using genetic and biochemical techniques. We will map the genomic lesion and then define its role in the Wnt pathway by generating a null allele and measuring its effect on downstream signaling events. We will determine the phenotype of a GPCR knock out using immunofluorescence and cell biological studies. We will then use genetics to place this novel gene in the Wnt pathway. Similar cell biological and genetic experiments will then be done to determine the GPCR's role in PCP signaling. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32GM078775-03
Application #
7475749
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F05-J (20))
Program Officer
Portnoy, Matthew
Project Start
2006-08-01
Project End
2008-10-17
Budget Start
2008-08-01
Budget End
2008-10-17
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$12,789
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305